E-Mobility: New Hybrid Storage Concept to Increase Range and Power

BMWi Project "hyPowerRange" Launched

Karlstein, 07.12.2017 (PresseBox) -
As part of the “hyPowerRange” project, funded by BMWi, we are developing and testing a new kind of battery concept that provides an inexpensive, modular, and flexible way to improve the performance and capacity of electric vehicle batteries. The goal of the “hyPowerRange” project is to improve the factors of range, cost, cooling requirements, and performance in E-vehicles. The project does so by developing and building a modular, hybrid energy storage unit. A variety of high-energy and high-output cells are combined to create a single battery for a specific application. In contrast to past projects, the hybrid battery is coupled directly, meaning it is operated without an intermediate electronic transformer.

Energy and Thermal Management for More Range

In addition to direct coupling, the project also consistently applies other approaches for extending range. The hybrid storage unit is integrated into a higher-level energy and thermal management system in the vehicle. The system also uses heat pumps in the vehicle and battery and vehicle temperature control with thermal pre-conditioning optimized to provide the greatest range possible from the electronic network.

BMZ Group Provides Experts Knowledge on Battery Algorithms

The BMZ Group is handling battery design and battery production in the project, while also optimizing BMS algorithms for simultaneously operating a variety of cell technologies. BMZ is focusing on the design of the active cooling system in its development of the hybrid energy storage unit. In order to ensure safe operation, constant power, and a long service life, a homogeneous temperature distribution among all cells within the “comfort range” must be ensured with direct connection of high-performance and high-energy cells. Optimized BMS algorithms are designed to facilitate the simultaneous operation of different cell technologies. As a leader in lithium-ion battery technology, BMZ is applying its expertise in battery and thermal management for automotive applications to this project.

The “hyPowerRange” research project has been ongoing since early 2017, and is slated for completion at the end of 2019. The new modular and flexible battery concept will be integrated into one exemplary electrical vehicle, and will be tested and demonstrated on the electrical network in both drive and charge modes starting in 2019.

The project is being jointly implemented by project partners ABT, Bertrandt, the BMZ Group, Fraunhofer IWES (lead manager), Fraunhofer LBF, the Hochschule Kempten and Konvekta and funded by BMWi under funding code 03ET6114E.